10 Cars with Active Noise Cancellation

2019 Nissan Maxima Dark Red Side Profile ・ Photo by Nissan

Active noise cancellation seems like a magic trick. How can sound be canceled by more sound? But that’s exactly how active noise cancellation works. The technology (also known as active noise control) reduces unwanted sound by countering it with a second sound designed and emitted specifically to cancel the first. Since sound is a wave of pressure, it essentially can be eliminated by another wave of pressure that is of the same strength but directly opposite in phase. Since they are equal and opposite, the waves cancel each other out. This effect is called “destructive interference,” but it is not the type you might see while watching the Super Bowl.

The very good news is you don’t need to know or understand all this to benefit from noise cancellation technology. You simply need to ride in a car that is equipped with a noise cancellation system. Here are 10 very representative examples.

2019 Lexus LS

The Lexus LS is widely regarded as one of the best full-size luxury sedan values in the world. The LS was completely renewed for the 2018 model year, featuring an all-new twin-turbocharged 416-hp V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. With advanced passive sound-deadening techniques, the LS 500 and its sister ship, the LS 500h hybrid, would offer an extremely quiet cabin even without noise cancellation technology.

As previously explained, sound-suppression technology hushes the cabin environment even further when compared to previous LS models. The system detects engine sounds entering the vehicle and counteracts them by emitting “anti-phase” sound from the audio speakers. The system is a perfect complement to the LS 500’s standard audio system, or its optional 3D-surround Mark Levinson audio package with in-ceiling array speakers.

Photo by Lexus

2019 Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima, the brand’s entrant in the large sedan market, continues to satisfy its owners with a clever combination of style, sportiness, and value. For 2019, the Maxima is the beneficiary of what the auto industry calls a “mid-cycle refresh,” which means that at the midpoint in its model life, it has been treated to some exterior changes that give it a new look. In other areas the Maxima stands pat. One example of that is under the hood, where the single engine choice is the stalwart 3.5-liter V6 rated at 300 hp at 6,400 rpm and 261 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

The lone transmission available is a continuously variable Xtronic unit that might be prone to prompt unusual noises. To counteract that and other unwanted noise, Nissan offers an available Active Noise Cancellation that works much like noise-cancelling headphones. The system is accompanied by an Active Sound Enhancement system, which alters the existing engine sound into more pleasant tones.

Photo by Nissan

2019 Honda Accord

When it came time to completely revamp the Honda Accord for the 2018 model year, Honda engineers took the car beyond its already stellar status to the next level of excellence. In its current form, the Accord is a large, comfortable five-passenger vehicle that also is fun to drive. Even in base trim, the Accord offers niceties like push-button ignition, alloy wheels, automatic headlights, and automatic climate control. Another piece of standard equipment is its sophisticated noise and sound control system.

Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC) use dual overhead microphones, an electronic processor, and the audio system’s four door-mounted speakers to mask and counteract objectionable sounds and to enhance pleasant ones. ASC/ANC operates whenever the Accord is running, even if the audio system is turned off.

Photo by Honda

2019 Buick LaCrosse Avenir

The Buick LaCrosse Avenir is the brand’s equivalent of GMC’s Denali sub-models — they are top-of-the-line and filled with equipment. The standard engine is the 3.6-liter V6 that powers other LaCrosse models, but the Avenir offers styling enhancements like the three-dimensional mesh upper and lower grille paired with chrome “wings,” Avenir script badging on the front doors, and exclusive 19-inch or available 20-inch wheels. Inside, Avenir-exclusive details include a chestnut color theme, embroidered first-row headrests, and special sill plates. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control are all standard on the Avenir.

It also offers Buick’s complete suite of QuietTuning, a process to reduce, block, and absorb noise and vibration utilizing ultra-dissipative acoustic materials and Active Noise Cancellation to create a quiet interior cabin. The good news: it works.

Photo by Buick

2019 Acura RLX

The 2019 Acura RLX is a highly capable luxury sedan that often is overshadowed by the brand’s successful crossover suvs. But for those seeking a sedan with high levels of sophistication and interior tranquility, the RLX is worthy of strong consideration. With the exception of the NSX exotic sports car, it is Acura’s most powerful vehicle. With 377 total horsepower on tap, the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid integrates a gasoline-fueled V6 with three electric motors and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. While not as powerful, the 310-hp Acura RLX has all-wheel steering in its bag of tricks. With its 10-speed automatic transmission, it delivers a responsive driving experience that puts several of its more well-known competitors to shame.

And then, of course, there is its Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC). ANC is designed to reduce low frequency sound caused mainly by the tires’ interaction with the road surface. ASC is designed to improve the engine sound quality by making the sound level more linear as engine revolutions increase.

Photo by Acura

2019 Lincoln Continental

The Lincoln Continental is an elegant, sophisticated luxury sedan designed to capture the magic that the Lincoln Continental name has signified through previous decades. Lincoln executives describe it as “effortlessly powerful” and “serene,” so it is natural that noise attenuation efforts would be front-and-center for its engineering team. Techniques used include sound-deadening materials, acoustic-laminated glass, and of course, Active Noise Control to create a quiet, comfortable environment conducive to conversation or contemplation.

Under the Continental’s hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque designed for responsive, yet quiet power. Available all-wheel drive paired with Dynamic Torque Vectoring transfers torque on demand to the appropriate rear wheel through corners, offering more confident handling. Lincoln Drive Control provides the driver with a choice of three settings – comfort, normal, and sport.

Photo by Lincoln

2019 Infiniti Q60

The 2019 Infiniti Q60 is a dramatically styled sports coupe that combines a very high level of performance with refined interior style and comfort. It all starts with the aerodynamic body that features a stellar drag coefficient of 0.28. Its zero front and rear lift aerodynamics help keep the vehicle stable at high speeds and in crosswind conditions. All Q60 models also feature an active grille shutter to balance the engine's cooling requirements with the desire to enhance aerodynamics. The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engines, featuring either 300 or 400 horsepower, were developed to deliver optimal power and torque for their displacement. The available power along with adaptive steering and suspension systems result in a premium sports coupe that performs.

Happily, Infiniti engineers didn’t skimp in dealing with noise, vibration, and harshness. Suspension insulation, rigid cross-members, and Active Noise Cancellation are fitted to all Q60 models, helping to prevent negative engine noise frequencies from intruding into the cabin.

Photo by Infiniti

2019 Cadillac XTS

Amidst the sea of luxury sedans on the market these days, the Cadillac XTS stands out for its size, interior space, and comfort. Drawing on a Cadillac playbook that dates back decades, the XTS leaves leading-edge performance to other vehicles in the product line and revels in traditional American luxury virtues. One way to achieve the comfort and quiet that have marked the best domestic luxury sedans is with a stiff structure supported by advanced technologies designed to ensure a smooth, quiet ride.

A smart all-wheel-drive system with Haldex technology is available to help the XTS better deal with inclement weather, and Magnetic Ride Control magically combines smooth, supple ride with excellent driving dynamics. Engine choices are a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 304 hp and a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 410 hp. Both engine variants are backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Active Noise Cancellation technology is standard across the model line.

Photo by Cadillac

2019 Buick Regal TourX

Thirty years ago, one would have described a vehicle with the Buick TourX’s profile as a station wagon. That nomenclature has gone out of fashion, but whatever you call it, the TourX has a fashion sense all its own. Some 3.4 inches longer than the Regal Sportback, the TourX combines sedan-like ride, handling and quiet with the cargo-carrying and poor-weather capabilities of a crossover SUV. “Intelligent AWD” with active twin-clutch and hill-start assist endow the TourX with better-than-average tools to combat bad weather, and the 73.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity rivals that of a small SUV.

The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 250 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque routed to the pavement via a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. The tidy and well-designed cabin features Buick’s QuietTuning that includes Active Noise Cancellation across the line.

Photo by Buick

2019 Infiniti Q70

The Infiniti Q70 is the luxury brand’s flagship sedan, designed to embody all things Infiniti including cabin tranquility. Two engines are available for the 2019 Q70: a 3.7-liter V6 rated at 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.6-liter V8 rated at 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. Quiet and smoothness were two of the design requirements for each engine. All Q70 models come with a seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Matching, which allows for sportier shifts during spirited driving. Contributing to the Q70’s wind-cheating coefficient drag of just 0.27 are a series of aerodynamic enhancements, including front tire deflectors, engine under cover, and rear diffuser.

Of course, another strong contributor to a quiet cabin is the Active Noise Control. It generates noise-canceling sound from four door speakers and the subwoofer to reduce unpleasant engine harmonics.

Photo by Infiniti